City of Grandview in good shape financially

GRANDVIEW - Grandview City Treasurer John Myers told the Grandview City Council the 2006 budget was in good shape and rated a B+.

"We're doing better than I anticipated," Myers told the council at a study session Monday night. He said some departments received more revenue than expected and some departments didn't spend as much.

Meyers said he expected the current expense fund to be in the hole by $42,470 at this time of the year but instead the fund has a positive balance of $220,897.

Meyers said part of this was due to building permits. He had estimated $75,000 in revenues from building permits up to this point in time but the city has collected $127,000 in building permit fees through the month of June.

"We are going through some growth in this city I've never seen before," Myers told the council.

The street fund is also well above its projected balance. It was estimated the fund would have $36,030 in it at this time but instead there is $204,276. Myers said this is due to some grant money the city was supposed to receive in 2005 but instead received the cash this year.

The water/sewer fund is down, showing a net loss of $515,765 compared with the $219,647 estimated to be the loss.

Council member Helen Darr asked Myers if he didn't see a need to increase the water/sewer rates. Myers told Darr he didn't see a need at this time but would keep a close watch on the fund. He reminded the council there is $373,000 in capital and $450,000 the city is carrying in debt.

The garbage fund is a little down but that's due to the clean-up the city did where they hauled people's trash away for free. Many more people took advantage of the city's offer than was expected. "I'm surprised it's not higher," Grandview Mayor Norm Childress said of the cost. "We hauled away a lot of garbage."

The equipment fund showed a net gain but Myers said this was because the city hasn't made any purchases since June 30.

"Overall the budget certainly gets a B+," Myers said. "The council's projections last fall were conservative. I believe you're on the right track."